Down with Daytime TV

I've been home sick for the last few days, and am starting to get bored. Ant's been off too, but with a different ailment - I had a stinking cold and he had a 24 hour stomach bug. We're both fed up, but at least we've had each other's company. Today I had to go for a blood test for anaemia, as that might be the reason I'm getting ill so often. I'm under pressure at work not to be off sick anymore, and am anxious to find out why I seem to catch eveything going, when I lead a pretty healthy life. The doctor said I looked pale, but he wasn't my usual doctor. I just want to be well.

We've been watching Smallville Season 4 on DVD, which is excellent. But more than 4 episodes in a row can get waring. I've joined LoveFilm.com, as part of my mission to be more cultured this year. We should get our first DVD through the post tomorrow. When I'm back to full health, I'll think about booking some theatre and music gigs.

I'll probably try and go back to work tomorrow. Daytime TV sucks.

Reggie Craig Roberts

Last night I finally made it round to Natalie's to meet her new arrival - three weeks after he was born. A series of unfortunate events had kept me away until then - first Nat had been poorly and then I came down with a cold and didn't want to spread germs. So by the time I was driving over to Eastbourne, I was longing to meet the little fellow. I managed to stall myself long enough to stop and pick up some pressies on the way - flowers, chocs and champers for Nat and Steve, a My Little Pony for Lulah and the ubiquitous cuddly toy (in this case, a lime green sheep that baas when squeezed) for Reggie.

The atmosphere at the Roberts house seemed wonderfully serene considering they're not getting much sleep and are adjusting to the chaos of having two kids to look after. It might be the contrast of a joyful event after the relentless sadness last year. They both seemed really chilled out and happy. Lulah's not sure about her little brother yet, but then he doesn't really do much! I had a long cuddle and it felt very natural. He's quite a small, delicate little bundle, and was mostly asleep. I didn't stay late, as they're getting to bed early at the moment. I came home to an empty flat, as Ant was out playing wargames with Matt Smith. So I watched ER - sad chimp episode - and made myself a tasty salad for dinner.

I'd intended to get an early night, but found myself reading back through old diaries and becoming engrossed. Originally I'd been looking through to try and jog my memory about old Waterstone's colleagues who Joe and I are trying to track down for a reunion, but it's amazing how much you forget, and astonishing how much I managed to fit into my life back then (only 1998/99). It made me want to be more sociable/cultured/active and all those things that go out the window when you're 30 and stuck in a 9-5 job. The fact that so many friends are now moving into the next phase - having kids - makes me feel even more suspended in time and space. Nikki and John were down with little Rowan on Sunday - a nice surprise - and we're having Isaac to stay this weekend (apparently he's walking properly now). Everyone else is doing it...why can't we?

Running Hot & Cold

Woke up this morning full of cold and with swollen tonsils. My heart sank. I've managed to avoid getting ill all winter and have been feeling generally quite fit and well. I blame the combination of a tiring week last week, lots of germs flying around at work and two nights in a row down the pub. Damien's birthday 'do' was in the Queen's Arms - how original - and it does get horribly smoky in there once it fills up. We didn't stay long, but I am afraid the damage was done.

So I've spent all day in my pyjamas, running hot and cold and filling myself with various remedies. Ant went out on a mission for Neal's Yard tincture, fruit and other good things to help me get well. I wrote a book review (see my other reviews blog) and tinkered on the laptop while he was out. When he got back we watched the DVD of Lion in Winter, which we've had for a while but couldn't bring ourselves to watch before the play. It was a very mixed bag - poorly cast - especially Richard, played by a wooden and distinctly un-attractive Anthony Hopkins, complete with dodgy stick-on beard. Ant was rather heartened by this, as he was SO much better and much more handsome. It was very odd watching the film version which was almost identical in dialogue, but played very differently by almost everyone.

We were meant to go over to Eastbourne this evening to see Nat and the new baby, but obviously I didn't want to spread germs. So we stayed in and got a curry and listened to folk music. Dad emailed me the review of Lion in Winter which was in yesterday's Herald. It was better written than the average Berald piece and praised our production in almost every way, under the heading "More Soon, Please". Very gratifying.

Ant has received the first issue of 'Make' magazine, which I subscribed him to for his birthday, so is happily reading and planning geeky endeavours. Poppet is looking very comfortable sitting on him, gradually sliding down between his legs, she doesn't seem to care.

The Show Must Go On

This is the first chance I've had to sit down and compose my thoughts following an eventful week last week. The play went well - Ant remembered all his lines and gave a stonking performance. In fact everyone gave their best, and a few minor fluffs were expertly covered so that even those of us who were familiar with the script didn't notice. The publicity obviously worked, as we had decent houses every night - a virtual sell-out on Friday and a very respectable 75+ on the other nights. It was my first experience working front of house and I felt a bit out of it at first - but it was nice to say 'hello' to lots of familiar faces and chat to people in the interval.

As expected in show week, it wasn't without its traumas... The weekend before, Gareth was spiked in a nightclub and collpased. Apparently his speech was slurred and incoherent on the Sunday line run, but he carried on in character as normal. Then on Tuesday I got a call from Ant saying that Mum had been taken into hospital becuase Megan couldn't wake her up. I was up in London at a meeting, so I rushed home and we headed over to Eastbourne. She was home and doing OK, if a little shaken. They couldn't say for sure what was up with her, but she has to go back for a CT scan to see if it was a minor stroke or something. Scary stuff. Like a real trooper she insisted that the show must go on and so the dress rehearsal went ahead as planned - and in fact went extremely well.

When I switched my phone back on after the rehearsal, I had a text from Natalie saying that her baby had arrived - Reggie Craig - and that all was well. Happy news indeed, but I also felt a certain sadness that Craig won't meet his namesake

On Thursday night Ant's Mum and Dad came down to see the play and Damien, Mat and Tim also turned up. Ant didn't know about them, so it was a nice surprise when we met in the pub afterwards. His parents seemed genuinely impressed with his acting, and with the play in general - and his Dad was particularly taken with St Mary's as a venue. On Friday lots more friends came - Jo, Joe, Jenny (and her sister Vicky), Sarah, Rob and Richie. Rich had a migraine headache and had to go and lie down for the second act - so they didn't stay for drinks. But Jo and Joe met us in the Lamb and then came back to ours for more booze and jolly banter.

We took Joe for a nice pub lunch at Coleman's Hatch before dropping him at Hayward's Heath station on Saturday. The last night and get-out went well and a few people piled back to Mum's for drinks, including Tom Purser, who had come to see the play. Everyone was justifiably on a bit of a high, but Ant had agreed to drive, so we didn't stay late. There was an 'official' after show do at Jood's on Sunday, which was pleasant, but fairly sedate. I made mini-calzones which went down very well.

Ant hasn't shown any signs of being in the post-show comedown as yet, but he has already been entertaining thoughts of future productions, despite having said 'never again' on a number of occaisions during rehearsals. I'd love to see him carry on with it, as he seemed to take to it so easily. Perhaps a comedy role next time? Maybe this year will be my stage comeback too. Here's hoping...

Daydreaming

Ant drove me to work this morning, as he had a meeting in Havant, just up the road from Chichester. He got unnecessarily cross with another motorist who pulled out in front of us, and snapped at me for commenting on the situation. I find it disturbing when he loses his rag - and it set me up to feel bad for the rest of the day.

Now he's late to pick me up again and we're going to be late for rehearsal in Eastbourne. His two worst traits are almost certainly his time-keeping and his temper. Though I should be and am grateful that he has many, many other wonderful traits. I just tend to pick out the negative ones when I'm feeling down.

Right now I'd love to be back in my old room in Eastbourne, listening to music and daydreaming, with no-one to please but myself. But here I am, 30 years old and a homeowner. At least I can still daydream now and again.

These are the days

It's been a weekend of catching up with old friends. First on Friday Jordan was down in Eastbourne with her boyfriend, so we met up for a curry. Mum, Megan and Nick came too - and Ant joined us straight off the train from London. Mum seemed down - no doubt still sad about Peri - but she cheered up once the evening got going. It was lovely to see Jordan on such good form - she seems so relaxed and happy. Her boyfriend was more chatty this time too - obviously they are more settled into the relationship and it's bringing out the best in both of them. We went on to a new bar called 'Namaskar' - which was pretty empty, then for old times' sake - and because, let's face it, where else can you go in Eastbourne? - Maxims. It was a very jolly, funny evening, talking about everything (even babies!). I was driving, so didn't drink, but Ant was pretty tipsy by the time we left at 2am.

On Saturday morning (after a LONG lie-in) I woke up to a voicemail message from Paul Edlund, saying that tonight was his last opportunity to catch up before heading back to New Zealand. Ant was rather appalled at the idea of a third night out drinking, but once the worst of the hangover had worn off, he was goadable. So we wandered down to the Basketmakers to meet Mr. Edlund, who was sporting his Seagulls T-shirt and hanging out with footie friends having been to a match. It was a happy occasion, but tinged with the sadness of Paul's imminent departure back to the other side of the world. Re-affirming friendships is always good, but it's also very hard when you just get back into the swing of it and life and circumstance drag you apart again. Being with Paul brings back lots of memories - I was 19 when we first knew each other - and it's made me think about who I was then and who I am now. We've both changed a lot, and are extremely happy with how life is turning out, but both of us also having a certain nostalgic yearning for those wild days. After cocktails at Valentino (nice) we met Carlo in the Colonnade (Theatre Royal pub) and then Ant decided enough already with the beer and whiskey and went on his merry way. Although I was sorry he'd gone, it was a rare moment with the old gang back together, sans partners/kids/responsibilities, and a chance to reminisce and say a hearfelt goodbye, via the Pavilion gardens. I tried to persuade the boys to come out dancing and say 'to hell with responsibilities and plans', but they were having none of it - how times have changed.

Sunday brought another reunion with an old friend, when Kerry called unexpectedly from Oz, for no particular reason. It is good to know that people can stay close in spite of living far apart. Today I feel a strange mix of emotions - warm and fuzzy vs sad and spiky. I'm feeling the need to mix up a music compilation to capture the moment. Perhaps I'll send copies to my old friends too.

Losing streak

Feeling a bit down-cast today after our first defeat in weeks at the Barley Mow pub quiz. I am sure they made the questions more difficult because of us. This was on top of the news that Mum's dear old cat Peridot had to be put to sleep yesterday. I spent the first twenty minutes sitting in the pub alone (as Jo was running late), contemplating Peri's passing and remembering her quirks. She was a very indignant cat, always demanding something - be it affection, food or access. I rescued her from a vet surgery in Wales when visiting my Granny with my then boyfriend, Chris. She wasn't having any of the cat-carry box, and kept yowling and shitting in it, so eventually we let her out and she sat on my lap, contentedly looking out of the window all the way back to Eastbourne! She loved a fuss and was one of the only cats I've known who loved having her tummy rubbed vigorously. I shall remember her fondly. I suppose it is only fitting that we should have lost the quiz for once, as it would have felt wrong to be celebrating anyway. The night was not without its jollity though - we raised a toast to Peri's memory and got chatting with a pretty boy who lives in France, apparently.